KATHMANDU: Lumbini Lions defeated Biratnagar Kings by four wickets to climb to the top of the points table and secure a place in the Qualifiers of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026.
In the match held at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Lumbini chased down Biratnagar’s target of 167 runs on the penultimate ball of the innings, losing six wickets in the process.
Openers D’Arcy Short and Asif Sheikh laid a solid foundation for the chase, scoring 45 runs each. Ali Sheikh, who contributed 27 runs off 19 balls, and Sundeep Jora, who scored 25 off just 11 deliveries, played crucial roles in guiding their team to victory.
Lumbini had already secured a place in the playoffs before Saturday’s match, while Biratnagar needed a win to remain in contention for the knockout stage.
Earlier, batting first after losing the toss, Biratnagar Kings posted a competitive total of 166 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Charith Asalanka was the leading scorer for Biratnagar with 64 runs off 43 balls. Shubham Ranjane contributed 31 runs from 24 deliveries, while Imran Sheikh scored 24 runs off 29 balls before retiring hurt.
For Lumbini, Kishore Mahato claimed two wickets, while Ruben Trumpelmann and Abhisesh Gautam took one wicket each.
With this victory, Lumbini have moved to the top of the points table with 11 points from seven matches. Biratnagar, meanwhile, remain fifth with six points from the same number of games and have been eliminated from the tournament.
Alongside Lumbini, Sudurpaschim Royals, with 10 points from seven matches, Kathmandu Gorkhas, with eight points from six matches, and Chitwan Rhinos, with seven points from six matches, have also secured playoff berths.
Kathmandu and Chitwan still have one league match each remaining, which will help determine which of the two teams joins Lumbini in the Qualifiers.
Lumbini are the defending champions, while Sudurpaschim Royals finished as runners-up in the 2025 edition of the tournament.
The NPL, a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket tournament organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), is being held for the third time this year.
Eight teams are competing in the 2026 edition, with Janakpur Bolts, Pokhara Avengers, and Karnali Yaks already eliminated from the competition.
Publish Date : 14 November 2026 21:54 PM
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